Watermelon Recipes

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Photography: Raymond Hom

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Watermelon Basics

Watermelons come in a wide array of sizes with flesh that can be red, pink, yellow, or orange. The popular "seedless" varieties contain a few white seeds that are small, soft, and edible. By weight, watermelons are 92 percent water--no wonder they're so refreshing!

In Season: Melons need heat to sweeten; summer and early fall is their prime.

What to Look For: Tap a ripe melon and you'll hear a hollow thump. The rind should be smooth, round, and unblemished, with a yellow spot on one side where the melon sat on the ground, ripening in the sun.

How to Store: Store whole melons in a cool spot. Cover wedges in plastic and refrigerate up to 4 days.

A ripe watermelon becomes both punchbowl and drink with this fun, kid-friendly recipe. Scoop out the watermelon and puree the flesh in a food processor. Just before serving, mix the pureed fruit with chilled seltzer and pour into the hollowed-out melon shell.